The Song of Teardrops (Van Doren Series #3)

Chapter Nine

Whispers of death

Kinabukasan ay nagising na lang ako sa loob ng isang kulungan. Tila tinamaan na ng liwanag sa mukha ko sanhi ng aking pagkagising. The sun behind the trees from afar welcomed my sight despite the blur. The cold floor made my entire body flinched. Ramdam ko ang paghapdi agad ng mga sugat ko sa mukha at katawan ko.

Napadaing ako bago sinubukang gumapang. Hinila ko ang sarili ko hanggang sa mapasandal ako sa pader. Kinigat ko ang bibig ko para pigilan ang sariling mapadaing ulit ng malakas. Kinalas ko ang nakapalupoy sa kagat ng Goblin sakin kahapon at pinagmasdan iyon. It hurts... My entire leg hurts...

Tears fell from my eyes as I try to hold my sobs. Napahawak ako sa tuhod ko at tiniis ang sakit.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sakin na isa ka palang dyosa?"

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa labas ng aking selda. I saw Nyx standing outside. His hands were on his back and his eyes saddens. He breathed in before stepping inside the cage. Tumagos lang ang katawan niya mga rehas. Dahan-dahan siyang lumuhod sa harapan ko.

"Nyx..."

"Kaya pala nakikita mo ako," bulong niya. "At nakakaintindi ka ng elven. Walang pangkaraniwang bata ang marunong magsalita ng ganung lengguwahe... You're a goddess, Diere. A goddess hiding behind a young boy's body... Why?"

Napatakip ako ng mukha sa pag-iyak. I really don't what to tell him. I don't know if I could even explain anything. All I could think about was the pain on my leg. Tahimik nalang akong umiling sa kanya. "I don't know..."

"Diere--"

"Hindi ko gustong pag-usapan ito." Sambit ko. "Dahil hindi ko rin alam, Nyx. Wala pa akong masyadong alam..."

Niyakap ko ang mga tuhod ko. "Mas mabuti na rin sigurong wala kang alam tungkol sakin." Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang sarili ko. "I don't even look like a goddess..."

Napabuntong hininga nalang siya at dahan-dahang tumango. Bigong umupo siya sa harapan ko at sumilip sa labas ng selda. "If that's what you want, I'll respect it. I won't ask questions."

Napatango ako at napahinga rin ng maluwag. Sumilip ako sa labas ng selda. "Ang nagpakulong sakin... ang babaeng nasa trono, sino siya? Bakit parang nanghina nalang ako kahapon noong ikinaladkad nila ako?"

"The Maiden of Cianna, Lothrein, was the eldest among the elves in Astraea. She has the power to weaken anyone in her presence..." Panimula niya.

"Akala ng karamihan sa limang kaharian ay wala na siya rito at namatay niya. Because of her age, she has transformed herself into an Enchantress now. King Cassius used to have high gratitudes for her, because there were only few enchantress who would choose to stay on lands to guide kingdoms."

"History says she has lived ever since the time of empires, and even before this world was named Astraea. She's very old, Diere... I can sense her slowly fading now. She's dying..."

Napakurap ako. "What does it mean when she choose to stay here?"

"It means she'll experience death. A physical death." He heavily sighed. "Enchantresses usually leave Astraea and travel into the Unknown Valley to spend eternity with their loved ones there..."

Hindi ko namalayan ang pagngiti ko. Sinong hindi gugustuhin iyon? Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit iyon ang kapalaran na pinili ng karamihan sa lahi niya.

Napatango nalang ako sa kanya at binalik ang tingin sa labas. I have no interest in knowing elven people more, but I can't deny that their ways of life were wise. They are kept hidden here. Within the nature itself. They must be doing this to protect their enchantress.